Thursday, March 22nd

by Jahna Peloquin

“FRANK: A Multimedia Photography Exhibition”

@ Trylon Microcinema
3258 Minnehaha Avenue
Minneapolis

6:30pm doors, showtimes every half hour from 7-10pm / FREE

The Big Lebowski, Kingpin, A League of Ordinary Gentlemen – bowling has long served as a dramatic (and usually comedic) backbone in film. But with new still film FRANK by local artist Anna Eveslage (a 2011 recipient of the Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board), the sport takes on a poignant tone. It tells the story of Frank, a man who mourns the loss of his wife through a field trip through the bowling landmarks of Minnesota. Set to voice-over narration and music, the project will screen as part of a one-night-only premiere. While bowling shirts are not required, a hanky might be. -Jahna Peloquin

The Walker is always willing to tease out the limits of artistic genres and eager to push the against the boundaries of‭ ‬the expected,‭ ‬so it is a perfect venue for the‭ ‬802‭ ‬Tour which collects like minded artists in performances that blur the line between classical,‭ ‬folk,‭ ‬and pop.‭ ‬The collective who produce these rich and captivating sounds includes renowned composer Nico Muhly,‭ ‬avant-garde folk artist Sam Amidon,‭ ‬violin virtuoso Nadia Sirota and ambient singer‭/‭‬songwriter Thomas‭ “‬Doveman‭” ‬Bartlett.‭ ‬The performance is further bolstered by the talented players from Minneapolis based Laurels String Quartet.‭ ‬The bios of each of these musicians show an amazing level of accolades,‭ ‬but each also show an interest in pop culture reinterpretations filtered through their experiences in the rarefied air of classical,‭ ‬jazz and folk.‭ ‬These old friends are bound to float some new musical ideas,‭ ‬and the loose format for this show should allow for impressive flights of fancy.‭ ‬If you’re looking for a staid interpretation of the classics,‭ ‬this show is not for you.‭ ‬If on the other hand you enjoy your music with a side of subversive surprise and a dash of the unexpected you’re on the right track.‭ -Anthony Enright

Get ready, get set; let’s rage. Andrew W.K. has entered the building. The king of rock ‘n roll, bloody noses and all things hard partying is set to perform his 2002 album I Get Wet at First Avenue this Friday. Rock out to well-known songs from his major-label debut album. And don’t worry, you won’t miss any – he plans to play ‘em all. Opening are Math the Band, an electro-punk, videogame-esque, East Coast duo, and semi-legendary dancehall artist and Lady Gaga-meets-Marilyn Manson lookalike Aleister X. -Stefani Arden

Fans hoping to catch a rarefied Breakaways/Nerves/Plimsouls reunion show featuring Peter Case and Paul Collins will have to settle for Case’s side of the magic tonight. The event was primed to have both Case and Collins on the bill, but it was announced earlier this week that the Beat’s frontman Paul Collins has dropped off the lineup due to “the usual musical differences” (of course). Yes, it’s a drag, but that’s no reason to cross it off your list! Mr. Case – one part of legendary band the Nerves, who helped breed classics like “Hanging on the Telephone” and “Come Back Stay made later covered by Blondie and Paul Young – will be holding down the show rocking the Amsterdam stage backed by a full band. Expect hits from the Nerves and Case’s Paisley Underground band, the Plimsouls, and prepare for a night that channels the sound that spawned a scene still alive and well today. Plus, catch an opening set from sister duo dreampop surf rockers, Summer Twins, whose sibling sound recalls ’50s and ’60s beach blanket tunes. BONUS: Can’t make it to the show, but still hankering for some power-packin’ guitar riff sound? Tune into 89.3 The Current tonight from 10 pm until midnight as Transmission’s DJ Jake Rudh hosts a seamless episode dedicated to the early bands whose dynamic beats, stunning harmonies and memorable riffs defined the power pop genre. -Juleana Enright
Click HERE for the Facebook invite

THURSDAY, MARCH 22 (THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 25)

“The Turin Horse”

@ Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis

7pm / $8 ($6 Walker members and students)

Béla Tarr’s The Turin Horse could be a period film about a poor farmer or a post-apocalyptic dream. The Hungarian filmmaker is known for testing the patience of his audience, but with his long takes and startling and captivating alchemy of image and sound, he has faith that a receptive viewer may find riches – the work will affect you, and so follow you into the future. The Turin Horse gets its title from a famous incident in the life of Friedrich Nietzsche, when the German philosopher collapsed on the streets of Turin after throwing his arms around a horse being whipped by its master. The moment was possibly a marriage between art and life, as a similar image occurs in Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky, whom Nietzsche revered, but we can’t be sure. What we do know is that the philosopher never recovered his sanity, and that the workings of his mind up to that point would greatly influence the world over the next century. Nietzsche isn’t in The Turin Horse, but we have a dream of the mythical animal and its owners, all encountering the weight of what it means to be alive. For people or for ideas, Tarr is saying, actions reverberate long after they occur. -Niles Schwartz

Much like Prince’s symbol years, the latest project from local artist John Fleischer is unpronounceable, at least for non-alien tongues. Fleischer’s new work titled “∆,” pits the mythological “axis mundi” as its focus, drawing on concepts of the symbolic center and cosmic properties. Poised as a series of sculptural installations, drawings, sound and projections, Fleischer dives further into his signature enigmatic realm, stirring elements of both the ephemeral and physical and creating compositions that reference the cabalistic and the transcendent. While your peeping the exhibit, try not to reference images from the Hipster Triangle tumblr, it’ll just distract you. -Juleana Enright

Underground country-music legend Jonny Corndawg creates real old-fashioned music,‭ ‬the kind so classic that it seems utterly timeless.‭ ‬Meanwhile,‭ ‬the band avoids the obvious by gilding every song with a subversive edge that feels completely of the moment.‭ ‬Originally hailing from Virginia,‭ ‬Jonny has played on five continents in as many years,‭ ‬and also in every state in the lower‭ ‬48,‭ ‬honing their touring chops.‭ ‬The band brings the scruffy charm of indie rock to the traditions of country,‭ ‬but this is decidedly not alt-country.‭ ‬Think of it instead as a weird alternate version of classic country music for those who like a story in every song and also enjoy modern wit and a bawdy worldview.‭ ‬Charleston,‭ ‬South Carolina country rock duo Shovels and Rope and singer‭/‭songwriter Robert Ellis round out the bill for an impressive evening of unique country music.‭ -Anthony Enright

Bassgasm is back again, bringing an irresistible lineup of underground techno. The big draw this year are the Detroit Grand Pubahs, whose newest single “Sandwiches” transforms culinary art into trance-dance steps. Wave your glow sticks as one of the latest legendary techno funk sensations surprises you with off-center lyrics and hypnotizing beat. The almost-all-nighter highlights over 50 performers, including electronic composer Tipper and TC Dubstep will kick off their N$4W tour featuring Billy Blacklight, Bogtrotter and Smilodon. Make your very own debut appearance in the “You Be the DJ @Bassgasm” photo booth and take a souvenir photo. -Meg Junkermeier

You may already be familiar with the universe of local artist Alex Kuno and ‬his ongoing series‭ ‬”The Miscreants of Tiny Town‭,” ‬which is filled with ghastly little figures within even more ghastly landscapes,‭ ‬situations and events.‭ ‬His super-human level of production over the last few years has meant the theme of disaster running through all his creations has been subtly evolving to explore related ideas about security,‭ ‬comfort and our own fears of terror and Terror‭ (‬the latter being the one with which we are at War‭)‬.‭ ‬The complexity of these works and the consistency of the representational style allows their evolution to become part of the artistic conversation.‭ ‬It’s fascinating to see Kuno’s familiar figures breaking free of their landscapes and the backgrounds themselves breaking down into vague,‭ ‬muddy approximations of scenes.‭ ‬‬Using Donald Rumsfeld’s classic‭ ‬2002‭ ‬political tongue-twister‭/‭Zen aphorism as an inspiration,‭ ‬Kuno shifts away from the satire of Armageddon so prevalent in his previous work and allows his characters to come to terms with the sad inevitability of the apocalypse.‭ ‬As usual,‭ ‬it’s strange,‭ ‬spooky and brilliant work.‭ -Anthony Enright

A city is just not a city without art and now the people of Minneapolis have the chance to give back to the artists who keep its scene alive. FEAST allows artists to write proposals explaining in detail a project they would like to make a reality around the city. Make a cash donation and receive a delicious dinner as well as a ballot to vote on the project you think is worthy of the grant money. At this dinner, the grant-winning Bridging Minneapolis Project will present their first installation of murals hanging by the 24th Street pedestrian bridge by the West Phillips and Whittier neighborhoods. Visit the website, feastmpls.org and read the list of proposals up for vote at the dinner. Pick your favorite, make your donation and head to the Eagles Club for an evening of art appreciation, fine dining and the chance to enhance the aesthetic pleasures of the city. -Meg Junkermeier

Get in the mood for summer early this Saturday with ARENA Dances annual fundraiser. The main mission of this fashion show, dance performance, and all around bikini party is to showcase the original choreography and dances of ARENA, raise money for the organization, and celebrate local fashion. When the doors open at 8, grab a cocktail at the cash bar and take part in a silent auction, then sit down and enjoy the show, which includes a performance by ARENA dancers and a fashion show featuring local designers Emma Berg, Adrienne Yancy, Jay Anderson, Kelly Ver Duin, and Anita Jensen, and local shops Nani Nalu, Drama Boutique and martinpatrick3. -Stefani Arden

National novelty band Metallagher is filling an essential void in the universe by combining the watermelon smashing comedy antics of Gallagher‭ (‬remember him‭?) ‬with the metal stylings of Metallica.‭ ‬‬Metallagher is about‭ ‬1ten ‬times more entertaining than it has any right to be,‭ ‬and the other bands on this bill bring a similar‭ ‬-‭ ‬if slightly more subtle strangeness‭ ‬-‭ ‬to their world-class ability to Rock‭ (‬with a capitol R‭)‬.‭ ‬Local metal heads Nightosaur own the stage with remarkable and authentic energy which compliments their endearingly hirsute and inevitably shirtless performances.‭ ‬They skirt the edge between self-parody and earnest authenticity in the best possible way.‭ ‬Opener Reptile Christ features members of tons of local bands coming together to make awesomely morbid dark metal.‭ ‬If you’re at all interested in either rocking out with a bunch of metal heads or in seeing fleshy fruits violently crushed there is literally only one place for you to be this Saturday‭! -Anthony Enright

This Saturday, head to the T-Rock for a stellar night of live local music. Up first is garage power rockers known for their angular retro sound, Speed’s the Name. Buffalo Moon, one of the hottest young bands in town, blends psych rock, jazz, punk, and bossa nova for a very Latin flavor. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Sleeping In the Aviary have described their sound as “fuzzed-out doo-wop” while headliners UMAMI bring a slinky, drugged out psych groove and super sexy dance vibe with electronic elements and dubstep beats. If you haven’t seen any one or all of these groups, this show is not to be missed. -Danielle Morris

‘Tis the weekend for ’80s legends, as Grumpy’s presents Aussie post-punk vets feedtime, live in and in Minneapolis for the first time ever – hard to believe, yet true. Akin to experimental Brit punk rockers Wire, feedtime’s epic shreds and stripped down rhythms sired a decade’s worth of unapologetic, primal minimalist noise rock and electric blues. Don’t miss feedtime’s pre-hardcore glory paired next to arguably one of Minneapolis’ finest modern hardcore bands, Condominium. Noise, guitar screech and more noise…believe us, the eardrum abuse will be well worth it. -Juleana Enright

For the second year running, local do-gooder Mikey Max hosts an all-star party jam celebrating his birthday with all proceeds going to charity. The five-act lineup is diverse, ranging from folk-pop and R&B to reggae-infused hip hop and sexified electropop. It includes Ashley Gold, who carves out a genre all her own with her folk-pop charms, stand-out lyrics and powerful voice. Just Yoni is a Hebrew hip hop artist with a reggae vibe who has toured with the likes of Matisyahu. Minneapolis MC Moonlight Grammar is an ex-pop punker with sick lyrical flow. Lizzo and the Larva Ink is a collaboration between up-and-coming MC and vocalist Melissa Vivanne Jefferson and producer Johnny Lewis, who infuse gospel, soul, electro, hip-hop and a heady dance beat. Headlining are uber hotties Sexcat, who seduce with their super slinky ’90s-tinged electro sounds and vocal melodies traded off between sex kittens Hannah von der Hoff and Megan Charles. With 100% of the proceeds going to local charities NIP (Neighborhood Involvement Program), Perspectives Inc., and Project for Pride in Living, this is partying for a very good cause. -Danielle Morris

Whoever said sleepovers were just for kids has never been to a slumber party in Uptown. Instead of pop and pizza, the Basement of the VFW is delivering drink specials. Keep your PJs on and dance to the oldie-but-goodie tunes by Justin Timberlake, Blink-182, Snoop Dogg and more artists you love but forget to listen to. With $3 and $4 drinks, you’ll get tipsy and dance all night to songs from the 90s without having to sneak liquor out of your parents’ stash. RSVP on Facebook and get in for $5. -Meg Junkermeier